Seneschal of the Realm (Swedish: riksdrots; Danish: Rigsdrost; Norwegian: Drottsete; Finnish: Valtakunnandrotsi; other plausible translations are Lord High Steward or Lord High Justiciar) is a Danish and Swedish supreme state official, with at least a connotation to administration of judiciary, who in medieval Scandinavia was often a leader in the government.
The word drots/drost seems to be of German origin (Truchsess) and means a steward or a leader of the household; in Dutch language however, a drost or drossaard was a historical kind of bailiff in parts of the Low Countries.
During the Scandinavian Early Middle Age it developed into an even more powerful political position.
The Drots held the privilege to be the Regent during a minority or absence of the king.
In North Western Germany the word “Landdrost” was used for noble district caretakers until the 19th century.